Process for the preparation of .alpha., .alpha.-difluoroalkyl phenyl ether derivatives

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of an .alpha.,.alpha.-difluoroalkyl phenyl ether of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halogen, amino, nitro, --SO.sub.2 --R.sup.4, --S--R.sup.5, --SO--R.sup.6 or --S--S--R.sup.7, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxy or --SO.sub.2 --R.sup.8, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 haloalkyl, X is oxygen, sulfur, --SO-- or --SO.sub.2 --, R.sup.4 is hydroxy, halogen, amino, --N.dbd.C.dbd.O, --NH--CO--Cl, --NH--CO--Br, --NR.sup.9 R.sup.10, benzyl, phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or --NH'CO--NR.sup.11 R.sup.12, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, R.sup.7 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, R.sup.8 is hydroxy or halogen, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are each independently of the other C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or benzyl and R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are each independently of the other hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, phenyl or an aromatic heterocycle, which process comprises fluorinating a compound of formula II ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and X are as defined for formula I, with hydrogen fluoride, in the presence of a catalytic amount of an antimony(V) compound. The intermediate of formula III ##STR3## obtained when carrying out said process may, if desired, be isolated by selecting suitable reaction conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.